disneygurlz2s

I am not sure where you find statistical data as far as a "national average" for successful surgeries, and again, I think it's in your hands to make sure you are choosing a reputable facility, etc. Overall, I think the majority of surgeries are successful. The level of success can vary, and some people do end up going in and having what is called an enhancement, which is an additional procedure to "tweak" the correction. Most of my coworkers that have had it have sat up in the chair able to see fine. Some patients have long term problems with dry eyes, most have some occasional dry eye problems, especially during healing period. The most important thing is to remember it is surgery and it has risks, just as any surgery does. Since it's an elective procedure, you have to weigh those risks. But I think if you go to a reputable doctor and have had healthy eyes (except for the need for glasses/contacts) you should have good results. Shari

^ That's the one I was going to say. I remember all the hype that year... it was just like the biggest thing..EVER. And the damn thing was broke down like every other day. By the time they dismantled it, all these other parks (like Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Big Bad Wolf) were putting them in and their's ran fine. Shari "we were the guinea pigs" Shoufler

Yeah for me!! That's EXACTLY what I thought that meant! Shari "doing a little superiority dance for knowing that one" Shoufler

^Generally, they won't do it until you are 18, but once you are 18 your eyes have "finished growing". Shari

I didn't say it, I was just agreeing (out of bitterness caused by the removal of the antique autos AND the eagle flyers) Are you a Delirium fan, or park employee?? I finally got to ride that this summer and just loved it! Shari "when you have a small child you never get out of Hanna Barbera Land" Shoufler

I have learned something new today, and it's not even 9:00 a.m. Thanks!! Shari "Now someone tell me what 'trims' are" Shoufler

I am pretty much a fan of "everything" that amusement parks have to offer, and we love waterparks. In addition to the revamped "Water Works" at PKI (now called Boomerang Bay), we also have The Beach waterpark, and it sounds like a year 'round indoor water park resort is going to be build where the PKI campground is. My favorite place here in southern Ohio though, is the Sunlite Pool at Old Coney. It's supposedly the Worlds Largest recirculating swimming pool. It's not really a waterpark, but they do have a few waterslides. It is a great place to spend a hot summer day. Plus, they have some good "classic" rides, including a coaster-for those of you seeking credits! Shari "I hate old guys in Speedos" Shoufler

Given that Easter is early this year, much of the "official" spring break season should be over by the week you arrive. I should think the crowds will be smaller the later you go into the month of April. Shari "My first trip there was Easter week-NEVER again!" Shoufler

My favorite is http://www.wdwig.com I love that you can see so many different photos of the resorts, and I also like that you can access restaurant menus, what characters frequent what parks, etc. You can also get a weekly email newsletter from them. Shari "WDW is my favorite place in the world" Shoufler

Thanks Elissa, and I have made the same comparison. She also has the same dramatic range... the only thing missing are the million $ movie contracts! Shari "one very proud mom" Shoufler

Question from the girl who doesn't quite speak "coaster".... what is a powered coaster??? Shari "Still learning the lingo" Shoufler

If I do this right (which is not likely) there will be a photograph. Shari "The guy at Circuit City mocked me for exchanging a digital camera for a film camera" Shoufler This is me, and Mini-me, on the first day of school, 2003

It's approximately the same here, if you have it done with an MD such as the ones I work for. Some places (like the ones I warned about in previous post) will advertise $500 per eye in their commercial advertising, however, you have to read the fine print. Usually that is for a very specific Rx, and it only covers the initial procedure, no enhancements, post operative complications, etc. Shari

. We do the Custom Wavefront here as well, and while not everyone is a candidate for that technology, but it is a huge advancement. I will tell you that we have 5 or 6 of our doctors here who do the LASIK, RK, PRK and the overall results and long term success rates are great. I am sure you will do great. When are you having to done? Shari

Nemmy.... I have worked for nine years for what is now probably the largest ophthalmology (eye doctor) practice in the United States. We do LASIK as well as other refractive procedures. FYI...LASIK PLUS is the name of the practice, not the procedure, and it's basically part of a "chain" of laser centers nationwide. Here's what you (or anybody else out there considering LASIK) need to know before committing to surgery: 1) Is your doctor a board certified OPHTHALMOLOGIST? An ophthalmologist is an MD. It is optimal for you to choose an LASIK surgeon who is also a subspecialist in corneal surgery (such as cornea transplants, cataract surgery, etc). Some ophthalmologists who have never performed surgery are "trained" to perform LASIK and that's it. You want someone who really knows the cornea of the eye. 2) Don't be pressured into surgery and don't choose your surgeon/surgery center based on price. These are your eyes you are talking about, so signing on to have surgery because the "special offer" ends Friday night at 9:00 is not a good idea. Most LASIK surgeons offer special credit plans and even some insurance plans are now contributing toward corrective surgery. I can't tell you how many patients come to our subspecialists to have their eyes corrected after getting poor results somewhere else. Ever see that episode of "King of Queens"? That really happens. 3) Get more than one opinion. Most LASIK surgeons offer free consultations and a good doctor won't be offended if you get more than one opinion. Also, realize that a simple eye exam may be enough for someone to tell you you COULD be a candidate for LASIK, but it is only through a thorough consultation and diagnostic tests that it can be determined if you are a good candidate and what procedure is best for you. Finally, make sure you know all the ins and outs of what is going to happen, and what is covered as part of your surgery. In other words, if your surgery is not as successful as you or your surgeon would have liked, will he/she do an enhancement procedure and if so, is it covered as part of your initial cost or will it cost you extra? Hopefully you've done your homework and feel comfortable with the doctor you have chosen. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me. I have several coworkers in my department that have had the procedure or who work for the doctors who do the procedure. Shari "Too chicken to have it myself, but will encourage you to do it" Shoufler

My first coaster was the "Teddy Bear" at Old Coney Island here in Cincinnati... today, that coaster is known as the Beastie, at PKI. I was petrified of "big coasters" in part due to the fact that I was born with a serious heart condition and my mom was afraid for me to go on them, so whenever someone suggested it, she stepped in. I wasn't really afraid of the ride itself, but my mother had me convinced that my heart would explode or something if I rode. Finally, when I was about 11 or 12 my big brother talked her into letting me go with him on the Screamin' Eagle at Americana, which was in Middletown, Ohio. Well, that sucker was brutal, but I lived, so I got a lot braver. Over time, I either got brave and tried a bigger one, or some friend of mine forced me on. That was the case with my first looping coaster, the old Screamin' Demon at Kings Island. My two best friends made me wait in line with them and when we got to the top they wouldn't let me step out of line. I have since ridden every coaster at every park I have had the pleasure to visit, but because of my heart condition, and the fact that I was in congestive heart failure when my daughter was born 6 1/2 years ago, I don't think I am going to chance riding something like TTD. I think Millenium is where I draw the line. Shari "They don't post those warnings for nothing" Shoufler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They did the waterpark expansion here last year, and it was such a huge improvement. Shari

I sold season passes for PKI for several seasons, and absolutely they are good for all parks (PKI, PKD,Carowinds, Canada's Wonderland and PGA). If you have any other PKI questions, feel free to send them my way. Shari "PKI info center retiree" Shoufler

Is he your brother, Robb??? I am like everyone else who's looked at all 10,000 pictures on the website... trying to figure out who everyone is and how they relate to you, if at all. Shari "I'll look at anyone's vacation photos" Shoufler

In a word, um.... YES! Ok, here's the thing... I grew up with Kings Island being Kings Island. It was a great park... classic rides, good entertainment, and a little thing called Winterfest that brings a tear to my eye when I think about it. Then, Paramount came in, and tried, lamely, to imitate Disney, but, well... they ain't Disney. Plus, I am just sour grapes that with all the land they own and haven't developed, they had to take down two family rides that hold a lot of memories for me, to put up this ride. Shari "I still miss the Tumblebug and Cuddle Up" Shoufler

You know, I wanted to be ticked off at you for that comment, but then I realized.... it's true. Other than park location, though (and for those who are unfamiliar with where the "hell" section of PKI is, it is right behind the Eiffel Tower) do you really think the ride designs are different? Shari "There's pieces of track in the PKI parking lot" Shoufler

Well, when you have a six year old who insists on going into EVERY shop and "arcave", time can tick away pretty quick. Although, if I have to be honest, she gets that from me. Shari "What's in this store?" Shoufler

Elissa... Do you guys buy annual passes each year, or do you plan your trips annually and decide to buy from there? Since you've got, what, Six Flags, Cedar Fair and Paramount out there in CA, do you always buy their passes and just take advantage of using them at other parks when you can? Also, it sometimes seems from reading your trip reports and looking at your pictures that you may only visit a park for a few hours and then move on. Is that the case or am I just imagining that??? Shari "Be there when the gates open and make them kick you out at closing" Shoufler

Ok... someone asked about being a guinea pig, being first on a ride that has just reopened after repairs. Here's the other side to that ?-anyone ever been stuck on a coaster or other ride? When I worked in the Info Center at PKI, their communication code for a broken down ride was 2-9. If you heard "2-9 with" you knew the ride was broken down with riders aboard, and prayed that they got them off quickly before the media caught wind. Shari "that would freak me out" Shoufler

ok... meeting my hubby wasn't all that interesting, but was interesting was how we got engaged. We were in St. Louis, in a hotel room at the Marriott. Don't get excited, it's not what you think. We were there because he was taking a training class for a "business opportunity" he was getting involved in. I guess between that, and knowing he was going to propose to me a few days later, he got violently sick to his stomach, and had to leave the class he was taking and go to our room. I totally freaked out because he had just been sick like 2 weeks before this, and here we were in a strange city, he'd spent all this money on this class, and because we had recently decided to move in together, I wondered if it was nerves. So in the middle of me freaking out, he gets up (moaning and groaning like all men do when they are sick) and says "Close your eyes". I am like "What???" Next thing I know, he's next to me holding my ring in it's box. I cried, said yes, and then he threw up in the ice bucket. Shari "Just like a romance novel" Shoufler